The invention relates to a lighting apparatus (2) for providing light for processing an object (3). A ring of light sources generates processing light for processing the object and an imaging unit (9) images the ring of light sources onto a working plane (16) in which the object is to be processed, wherein the ring of light sources and the imaging unit are configured such that images of the light sources in the working plane are distributed equidistantly in a direction being parallel to a diameter of the imaged ring in the working plane. The ring arrangement allows for a high quality imaging with a relatively small and technically simple optical element. A relatively small lighting apparatus can therefore be provided, which can be used for applications like laser printing.